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A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here
This summary is provided by the STA:
SDS invites parties to coalition talks, SAB proposes "project government"
LJUBLJANA - A week after PM Marjan Šarec resigned, the leader of the largest opposition party, Janez Janša of the Democrats (SDS), invited all parliamentary parties to talks on a new coalition this Friday. He would like to meet each party separately, and if common ground is found, a second round of talks would be held on 11 February. Šarec's LMŠ and the opposition Left already said they would not go to the talks, and the coalition Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB) could do the same; earlier in the day, the SAB invited all parties but the SDS to form a "project coalition" which would be in office until electoral law is reformed and some urgent bills possibly passed. Initial reactions indicated the chances of the SAB's initiative are slim, with the SDS even mocking the very idea of SAB leading any talks.
Police strike warning of force's collapse, union says
OBREŽJE - The situation in the police force is critical, president of the Trade Union of Police Officers (SPS) Kristjan Mlekuš told the press as SPS members staged a four-hour token strike. The action is a warning for Slovenia's next government that unless the situation is addressed, the police force will collapse due to understaffing, he said. The SPS, one of the two police unions, was on strike between 8am and noon both inland and on national borders, with officers working on the border conducting more thorough checks.
Lenarčič says Slovenia, Croatia jointly turning to court good option
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Commenting on the Slovenia-Croatia border arbitration impasse following a recent ruling by the EU Court of Justice, Slovenia's European Commissioner Janez Lenarčič said that resubmitting the case to the court together with Croatia would be a good option. Noting that the court - which ruled Slovenia's case against Croatia over the latter's ignoring of the arbitration decision inadmissible - had proposed this step as part of its decision, Lenarčič said the two sides could confront the court with a very simple question: is the arbitration decision binding on both sides or not. "The problem is it requires the consent of both sides," he added.
Abanka acquisition also cleared by ECB
LJUBLJANA - Following the clearance by the national Competition Protection Agency, the EUR 444 million acquisition of Abanka by the US-owned NKBM bank was also cleared on 30 January by the European Central Bank (ECB), said Slovenian central bank Banka Slovenije. NKBM, Slovenia's second largest bank, acquired the no. 3 bank on the market from Slovenian Sovereign Holding in June 2019. The merger between Abanka and NKBM is to create a bank with combined total assets of EUR 8.71 billion or a 22.5% market share. Slovenia's largest bank, NLB, has total assets of EUR 8.81 billion.
Prospective anti-graft boss says prevention, awareness key in fighting corruption
LJUBLJANA - Robert Šumi stressed the importance of prevention, awareness and integrity as he presented his vision for the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption. The head of the Police Academy's research and social skills centre wants to use his knowledge and experience to improve the watchdog's reputation. Šumi, whom Pahor selected from four candidates put forward by a vetting commission last week, said that professionalism of the commission will be key in restoring people's trust in it. Šumi is set to succeed Boris Štefanec, who is seen as having undermined the body's integrity if nominated by Pahor and appointed by parliament.
Judicial Council urges independence of Polish judiciary
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Judicial Council has joined calls to protect the independence of Poland's judiciary by pointing out the independence of the judiciary in EU member states was a key condition for mutual trust among judges in the bloc and for the recognition of rulings across the EU. Thereby it is also a key condition "for democracy and the rule of law and the safeguarding of human rights and freedoms in the shared European space", the council wrote in its position, which it adopted on 23 January, joining the call of the executive council of the European Networks of Councils for the Judiciary.
Ljubljana mosque opening doors
LJUBLJANA - The Ljubljana mosque, which the Islamic community in Slovenia has been striving for for decades, will be inaugurated in June after the end of Ramadan, while it will already start operating in about a week, Mufti Nedžad Grabus announced. Presenting what is officially called the Muslim Cultural Centre Ljubljana, Grabus said it was a milestone for Muslims in Slovenia, who were finally getting their own space for prayer and activities. The project will end up costing slightly over EUR 34 million, roughly EUR 28 million of which has been provided by donors from Qatar.
SAB vice-president, former minister Purič quits party
LJUBLJANA - Iztok Purič, one of four vice-presidents of the coalition Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB), left the party, saying he lost trust already some time ago. "Losing trust also means losing respect, and this is the moment when one has to decide how to proceed," the former cohesion minister wrote in his resignation. Purič told the STA that he was not thinking about joining any other party, adding he wished the SAB success. Meanwhile the SAB said that since he resigned as cohesion minister last September, Purič had no longer been active in the party, so his resignation had not been entirely unexpected.
Hidria announces EUR 30 million deal with BMW
LJUBLJANA - Car parts maker Hidria announced it had developed innovative aluminium steering wheel system casings for next generation hybrid and electric BMW cars, winning a EUR 30 million contract running until 2030. The casing is part of a system allowing automatic vertical steering wheel adjustments for individual drivers. Cars with this system will be available on the European market in three years, Hidria said, adding that it won the deal in strong international competition.
Entrepreneurs advocating steps fighting youth brain drain
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Business Club (SBC) presented a number of measures which it believes could mitigate the youth brain drain and improve the situation for the young. SBC head Marjan Batagelj said that Slovenia did not have an ecosystem which would keep the young or attract them, pointing out that numerous countries had surpassed Slovenia by providing tax, welfare and housing benefits. Politicians welcomed the initiative, but warned changes for the better would not occur overnight.
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